Cedar Creek Hundred Treason Trial 1779

Note: While researching this case, I was surprised to learn that about one third of the population of Colonial America were Tories, one third Patriots, and one third were on the fence. Sussex County Delaware was known to have many prominent Loyalists. The dominant church's were also an important factor. One experienced researcher made the comment to me that "Many people in Sussex County felt that the Patriots were Godless men with nothing to lose."

Regarding Bennett Bryan: It is important to note that the name is clearly written in three places in this document as Burnet Bryan, not Bennett Bryan. There is also a Stephen Bryan listed whom I cannot yet connect with Bennett. I found a record of a Barnet Bryan born 23 June 1736 Of Hanover, Hanover, Virginia (LDS Film Number 170628, Page 244, Ref. Number 8906) That makes the question: Is this Bennet w/a different spelling and yippee I found his birth record, or is this another guy?

A note about the listing below. It looks like the names were listed in the "vs." column, then later they put the fate of the accused in the third column. Some of the names had an "x" added before them, since I don't know if this is significant or not, so I included it.

Some definitions: Ignoramus-dismissal of charge by grand jury. The fates that I could not deceifer are important enough that I scanned them in the hopes someone else can figure it out and let me know what it says/means. You can click on image to see it larger.

The Grand Inquest for the Delaware State and body y Sussex County afsd on their oath _____, that John Hudson, Namey (Nunez) Deputy, Littleton Lofland, Samuel Johnston, John Palmer, Richard Hickman, Samuel Truit, Eli Burton, Thomas Lightfoot, Thomas Cockayne, Thomas Cockran, Nathaniel Steel, Samuel Butler, John Uozel, Samuel Walls, Joseph Joseph, Burnet Bryan, Stephen Bryan, John Fisher, John Truit, William Williams, Nehemiah Cary, Pemberton Carlisle, Collins Truit, Richard Clifton, Joseph Stockley, Elisha Dickenson, Joseph Polk Senior, Thomas Bell, William Burton, Woodman Stockley, Joseph Nock, all of Ceder Creek Hundred and county afsd, yeomens, being inhabitants and members of the State of Delaware afsd and owing allegiance to the government, There not having the fear of God before their eyes, but being moved by the instigations of the Devil, for false traitors intending the government of the said State to reduce to the Domination of the Crown of Great Britain, on the first day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred seventy nine, and at various other days and times as well before as after, at the hundred within the county afsd, were adherent to the King of Great Britain, their being an enemy and at open war with the said State, giving to divers subjects of the said King their and there enemies of the said State aid and comfort for the purposed afsd. And for the move _______ compleating and perfecting the said treason, on the day and year afsd, and at divers other days and times as well before as after at the hundred within the county afsd, they the said John Uudson, Namey (Nunez) Deputy, John Palmer, Richard Hickman, Samuel Truit, Eli burton, Thomas Lightfoot, Thomas Cockayne, Nathaniel Steel, Thomas Cockran, Samuel Butler, John Uozel, Samuel Walls, Joseph Joseph, Burnet Bryan, Stephen Bryan, John Fisher, John Truit, William Williams, Nehemiah Cary, Pemberton Carlisle, Collins Truit, Richard Clifton, Joseph Stockley, Elisha Dickerson, Joseph Polk Junior, Thomas Bill, William Burton, Woodman Stockley, Josech Nock, together with divers others false traitors to the persons unknown did procure diows? quantities of provisions and supplies consisting of Beef hogs, sheep, fowls, potatoes, and wood, and the supplies and provisions then and there maliciously, adviredly, and tratorously did sell and deliver to _____ persons and to the jurors unknown enemies of the said State, and subjects to the King of Great Britain then being at open war with the said State, against the duty of their allegiance, to the evil example of all others in like cases offending against the peace and dignity of the Delaware State and agst the form of an act of General Assembly in such case made and provided here.